ATHENS, Ga. - Thirty-first-ranked Joelle Kissell of NC State defeated No. 48 Tayler Davis of California, 7-5, 6-1, in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championship on Wednesday, May 23. Kissell improved her singles record to 16-9 with the victory, and picked up her 35th career singles win.

After jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the first set, Kissell dropped the next five games to Davis even the match. She then came back and won two straight to take the first set, 7-5. In the second set, Kissell easily pulled away from Davis, winning 6-1, and clinching the match.

Although only in her second season, Kissell is just two wins shy of cracking the all-time top-10 chart for overall career singles wins by an NC State women's tennis player.

With the defeat of Davis, Kissell became just the second individual in school history to move on to the second round of the tournament.

This marks the second consecutive year that the Pack has had an individual qualify for the NCAA Singles Championship, and advance to the second round. Sanaa Bhambriaccomplished the feat last season.

Kissell will now face No. 6 Christina Sanchez-Quintanar of Texas A&M, who defeated Alabama's 52nd-ranked Alexa Guarachi, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6, to advance to the second round.

The second round of the NCAA Singles Championship will begin on Thursday, May 24. Live scoring and video streaming of the match can be found HERE.